University of Bahr el Ghazal Threatens Closure Over Unpaid Salaries
The staff at the University of Bahr el Ghazal in Wau Town issued a warning on Tuesday, threatening to shut down the institution if the National Ministry of Finance does not clear their 11 months’ salary arrears. The University Workers Union and lecturers demanded payment of their overdue salaries, medical allowances, and air ticket allowances during a meeting.
Robia Adam Hamed, the chairperson of the workers’ union, stated that if the finance ministry does not pay within seven days, the university may close down. The precarious economic situation has left the staff struggling without salaries for almost a year.
As the university prepares to reopen with students returning, the threat of a strike looms large. Adam warned that if the payment issues are not resolved, lecturers will not be able to resume teaching. The University of Bahr el Ghazal has a history of staff strikes due to delayed salary payments.
The university staff have given the government a seven-day ultimatum to address their concerns before taking further action.